Bricks Are Going Up!

I try to restrain myself to visiting the house on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday mornings.  Invariably, we've ended up coming back on Saturday evenings too.  Today was a quicky, as the tradies were still there.  The good news is that the bricks are starting to go up. The mortar looked wet, but I'm happy with its colour.  I've heard a few stories of people not happy with theirs due to the colour of the sand used in the mix.  I'm also really happy we paid for the brick upgrade.  The standard category had very peachy coloured bricks which I wasn't crazy about.

First bricks to go up and mortar sand on driveway

I think your life is governed not by the bricks or mortar around you, it's governed by who holds your hand and who spits in your eye.

- David McCallum

Week 4 - Roof, Fascia, Gutters are On!

Well the Frame Stage Inspection went very well.  The only thing that came up was a missing noggin behind the meter box.  It was still like that when we visited today, so I'll ask the Site Supervisor (foreman) about it.  We walked around the neighbourhood to try to get the mud off our shoes before we got back in the car and we noticed other HBC houses with the same issue.  I'm almost thinking it's on purpose for some reason.

Noggin Missing From Frame Behind Meter Box

We were thrilled to see the fascia and gutters installed when we passed by this morning and very happy we chose Colorbond Monument.  We left to see the house earlier than we leave to go to work on weekdays, because we know the tradies will start showing up at around 7:30 am and we really shouldn't be on the property without being escorted by the site supervisor.

Guard Rails Up, Gutters and Fascia On

Much to our delight, when we went by after they had all left this afternoon at around 5pm, the roof was on.  This is great news, because we have had a good run of above average temperatures and not too much rain, but that's about to change next week.  At least the workers will have a roof over their heads, which will help, I'm sure.

Roof On!

Week 4 Wrap Up Video!

We noticed our bricks had been delivered today, so that's a sign of things to come soon!  That will be so amazing to see.

Austral Indulgence Range in Truffle

The sky's the limit if you have a roof over your head.
- Sol Hurok

Frame Stage Complete!

Our Site Supervisor let us know that we've now completed Frame Stage.  Their Building Surveyor will inspect the site tomorrow.  I've arranged to have our own private inspector survey the building and provide a written report back to us.  If there is anything serious, I'll have the builders correct it before we authorise the bank to release payments for this stage.  This is why it's so important to have your own inspection done.

Entrance and Garage

East Side

West Side

He who frames the question wins the debate.

- Randall Terry

Week 3 - Frame Is Nearly Done

Really stunned at the progress, we were able to walk through the house this afternoon and get a really good feel of the house.  I took a video, but it might be better to first show you a floor plan.  This was the basic plan; I've added windows and sliding doors, and also had the Alfresco area extend to the end of the house.  I've flipped the original, so the writing is hard to read.

Floor Plan

Roof Frame Up and Windows Delivered

Quick visit this morning - it seems they got the roof frame up on Friday and the windows have been delivered.  Just as we were leaving, the chippies showed up ready for another day's work (on a Saturday!).

Far View

Front Door, Garage and Windows Delivery

Master Bedroom Window East Side

Alfresco

Fast!

Two days ago, the frame was ready to have the concrete poured.  Yesterday, the slab was poured.  Today, the frame went up.  Now that's fast.  We're even ahead of the neighbours who had their slab poured much earlier.

Front Lounge, Porch and Garage

Lounge Room through to Alfresco

Side Lounge, Room, Bath, Toilet, Room, Dining Room

A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up to and outpace.

- Ovid

We've Been Slabbed!

Concrete Slab Poured

I truly believe that when a person makes a concrete decision and takes action towards a goal that they've set, the universe will step in and provide opportunities.

- Tamara Tunie

Slab Frame In - Ready to Pour!

Our site supervisor called today to say the slab is being poured tomorrow - ahead of schedule.  Fantastic news.  Here are some pics of the frame they put up to hold the pour until it sets.

Things are really happening now.

Black termite sheeting and waffle pods installed.

Waffle pod.

Waffle slabs provide a lighter and stiffer slab than an equivalent flat slab, reducing the extend of foundations.  They provide a very good form where slab vibration is an issue, such as laboratories and hospitals.  Waffle slabs have a thin topping slab and narrow ribs spanning in both directions between column heads or band beams.  The column heads or band beams are the same depth as the ribs.

Benefits:

• Flexible
• Relatively light, therefore less foundation costs and longer spans are economic
• Speed of construction
• Fairly slim floor depths
• Robustness
• Excellent vibration control
• Thermal mass
• Good for services integration
• Durable finishes
• Fire resistance

Week 2 - Groundwork is Done!

More drains added and pebbles spread.

The groundwork of all happiness is health.
- Leigh Hunt

Storm Water and Drain Pipes Are In!

Storm Water and Drain Pipes Are In!

Site Signage Is Affixed - Let's Roll!

There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.
- Willa Cather

Week 1 - Ready, Set, Go!

Meter Box Installed

Ben Franklin may have discovered electricity - but the man who invented the meter is the one who made the money.

- Earl Warren

Concrete Piers Set

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.
- David Brinkley